Machine for binding books

ABSTRACT

A machine binds paper punched with apertures spaced at intervals near one margin using two thermoplastic strips, the first having studs at intervals and the second having counterbored holes at the same intervals. The paper is placed on the machine platen with the second strip underlying the paper. The studs of the first strip are inserted through the holes in the paper and second strip. A pressure bar is guided to rest on the first strip. A motor is then energized to turn a cam shaft through one revolution. A pressure cam causes downward pull on the pressure bar until a pre-selected pressure is applied to the first strip, whereupon the pressure is held constant until the end of the cycle. After said pressure has been applied, a plurality of heated blades corresponding to the spacing of studs is moved by cam action to cut off the excess lengths of the studs, leaving short stubs beneath the second strip. Next, the blades are raised by cam action to deform the stubs into the counterbores in the second strip. The blades are then withdrawn. Cooling fingers are forced by cam action against the deformed studs to finish the shape of the heads of the stubs and cool same, thereby completing the binding action. The pressure cam releases the pressure bar allowing the bar to be retracted and the completed book removed.

United States Patent [191 Abildgaard et al.

[ MACHINE FOR BINDING BOOKS [75] Inventors: William H. Abildgaard;Charles T.

Groswith, 111, both of Los Altos; Heiko T. Deman, Alameda; Danilo P.Buan, Pleasanton, all of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Velo-Bind, Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif. [22] Filed: Jan. 15,1973 [211 App]. No.: 323,520

Primary ExaminerLawrence Charles Attorney, Agent, or FirmJu1ian Caplan[57] ABSTRACT A machine binds paper punched with apertures [451 May21,1974 spaced at intervals near one margin using two thermoplastic strips,the first having studs at intervals and the second having counterboredholes at the same intervals. The paper is placed on the machine platenwith the second strip underlying the paper. The studs of the first stripare inserted through the holes in the paper and second strip. A pressurebar is guided to rest on the first strip. A motor is then energized toturn a cam shaft through one revolution. A pressure cam causes downwardpull on the pressure bar until a pre-selected pressure is applied to thefirst strip, whereupon the pressure is held constant until the end ofthe cycle. After saidpressure has been applied, a plurality of heatedblades corresponding to the spacing of studs is moved by cam action tocut off the excess lengths of the studs, leaving short stubs beneath thesecond strip. Next, the blades are raised by cam action to deform thestubs into the counterbores in the second strip. The blades are thenwithdrawn. Cooling fingers are forced by cam action against the deformedstuds to finish the shape of the heads of the stubs and cool same,thereby completing the binding action. The pressure cam releases thepressure bar allowing the bar to be retracted and the completed bookremoved.

10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAYZI 1914 3.811.146

SHEET 1 OF 4 I Fig. l

PATENTED MAY 21 974 SHEET 3 0F 4 Fiy. 4

MACHINE FOR BINDING BOOKS This invention relates to a new and improvedmachine for binding apertured sheets to produce a book.

One of the features of the invention is the fact that a machine isprovided suitable for use in a business office which binds sheetstogether using two plastic strips the first having spaced studs whichproject through the apertures in the sheets, and the other being formedwith holes (preferably counterbored) to receive the ends of the studs.The machine provides a pressure bar which presses the first strip towardthe second with the apertured sheets interposed with a predeterminedpressure. Heated knife blades cut off the excess lengths of the studs toleave stubs in softened condition. The blades then are elevated todeform the stubs into the counterbores. Thereupon, cooling fingersengage the stubs to finish the heads thereon and to cool the material,thereby permanently binding the sheets together between the strips.

An important feature of the invention is the fact that the pressure barmay be manually elevated and lowered into contact with the first strip.Thereupon, a motor in the machine is switched on for one cycle ofrevolution of the machine. In the beginning of the cycle, the pressurebar is forced against the first strip until there is a predeterminedpressure forcing the first towards the second strip. The pressure bar isclamped in pressure position until completion of the cycle.

A further feature of the invention is the fact that the motor whichactuates the other mechanism hereinafter described drives a freelyrotating set of gears which grip the pressure bar under spring action.When the predetermined pressure is achieved, the cycle of the motorcontinues but the pressure is not increased.

A further feature of the invention is the fact that a range ofthicknesses of books is accommodated. The studs of the first stripheretofore mentioned are of extended length so as to fit through arelatively thick book. However, the apparatus shears off the excesslengths of the studs where less than the maximum length is required. Theeffectiveness of the binding operation is relatively independent of thethickness of the book involved.

Another feature of the invention is the fact that the sheets are tightlypressed together and then locked in place in compressed condition.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a combinationof manual and mechanical means which supplies the predetermined pressureto press the pages of the book together.

Another feature of the mechanism is the fact that the pressure bar is soguided that at its extreme open position it is displaced rearwardly,permitting insertion of plastic strips having long studs even at theextreme thickest limits of the books being handled.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a cam system whichis mechanically and electrically times the cutting of the studs, thepressing of the studs into rough shapes for heads and the finishing andcooling of the heads.

A still further feature of the invention is the fact that the apparatusis easily operated by relatively untrained personnel. Little physicalefiort is required to operate the machine, and the operation is veryrapid as compared with conventional book binding methods.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawingsin which similar characters of reference represent corresponding partsin each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. lis a top plan view of the machine with the casing removed.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line22 of FIG. 1 with the casing in place.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line4-4 of FIG. 1 broken away to conserve space.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are fragmentary enlarged sectional views takensubstantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1 showing the parts atdifferent positions in the cycle of operation.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary elevational view, partially broken away to showfeatures of the paper stop.

The apparatus herein described is used to bind together eithertemporarily or permanently pluralities of sheets of paper 21 each formedwith a series of spaced apertures 22 along one margin thereof, thespacing between the apertures corresponding to the spacing of studs 23of first strip 24, hereinafter described. The apertures 22 arepreferably round and made by means of a paper punch or prepunched pagesmay be used. The dimensions of the sheets 21 are subject to variation.Further, the thickness of the book which is to be bound is likewisesubject to variation between very few sheets and a thickness which iswithin the limits of the lengths of the studs 23 of the first strip 24.

First strip 24 is preferably rectangular in cross section being about A.inches wide and 1/ 16 inches thick. The length is approximately equal tothat of the sheets 21. Spaced along the center of one surface of strip24 are integral studs 23 preferably round and formed with points 25 attheir outer ends. The studs 23 are preferably between 3/ 32 inches andit inches in diameter and may be in length up to about 3 inches.

Second strip 26 also is approximately V4 inches in width and 1/16 inchesin thickness and is formed with a series of holes 27 spaced in distancescorresponding to the spacing of the studs 23. Preferably, a counterbore28 is formed in each hole 27 along one surface of strip 26.

The strips 24, 26 are preferably molded or otherwise formed of athermoplastic material. One suitable plastic is a rigid polyvinylchloride. Other suitable thermoplastics are high impact polystyrene andacrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). A function of the studs 23 isthat they be flexible to permit curved opening of the eventual bookformed by the apparatus.

Only the essential features of the machine are illustrated herein. Thereis provided a base 31 which supports a casing 32 which surrounds themechanism. On either side of the machine mounted on base 31 are verticalside plates 33. Extending horizontally across the entire width of themachine and supported by plates 33 is a platen 34. Extending over mostof the surface of platen 34 is a table 35 which terminates forwardly ofthe rear edge of platen 34 to provide a depression 36 shaped to receivesecond strip 26. Rearward of depression 36 and above the level of platen34 is a stop 37 which limits inward movement of sheets 21 supported ontable 35. The rear edge of platen 34 is notched at 78 to provideclearance for elements of the apparatus.

The first step in the operation of the machine is to place a secondstrip 26 in the depression 36 and then to position the stack of sheets21 to be bound on the platen overlying strip 26 with apertures 22aligned with holes 27. The counterbores 28 are facing downward (see FIG.The side edges of sheets 21 may be aligned by means of an edge guide 45and such edge guide is preferably moveable to accommodate differentsizes of paper.

First strip 24 is then installed by inserting studs 23 through holes 22and 27 to assume the position shown in FIG. 5.

A transverse horizontally disposed and vertically moveable pressure bar38 is provided, the ends of the bar sliding in slots 39 formed in sideplates 33. As is best shown in FIG. 2, there is an offset 41 at the topof slot 39 permitting the pressure bar 38 to be moved rearwardly at theupper end of its movement. Thus, the longest studs 23 for the higheststack of papers 21 may be accommodated without interference from thepres sure bar 38. A pivot pin 42 on each end of pressure bar 38 isattached to the vertically reciprocable pinion rack 43 which is held inplace by large head screws 40. A pin 105 in the pinion rack 43 extendsinto side plate 33 for vertical guidance of rack 43. Vertical movementof rack 43 controls movement of pressure bar 38. However, at thecommencement of the cycle of operation of the machine the pressure bar38 is freely moveable. Preferably, the pins 44 are in the offset 41. Thepressure bar 38 is manually moved forwardly and then downwardly withslight manual pressure, contacting the first strip 24. As hereinafterappears, the pressure bar 38 is mechanically gripped and forceddownwardly to apply a predetermined pressure against first strip 24biasing it towards second strip 26. The amount of this pressure ispredetermined so that the bound book is properly held together.

In a preferred form of the invention, a single motor 46 is usedconnected by pulley 47, belt 48 and pulley 49 to cam shaft 51 so thatthe shaft 51 turns one revolution for each cycle of the machine.Rearwardly and below the level of shaft 51 is horizontal transversefloating shaft 52 carrying at its outer ends pinions 53 which engageracks 43. Ratchet wheels 54 are also carried by shaft 52. Pawls 56engage ratchets 54, being biased thereagainst by springs 57. Each pawl56 is pivoted at pivots 59, as also is bell crank lever 58. Bell crank58 has a follower pin 68 which engages locking cam 67 on the end of camshaft 51 and another pin 65 which engages the rear flank of pawl 56. Cam67 at the beginning and end of each cycle disengages pawl 56 fromratchet 54. At other times spring 57 causes engagement, preventingrotation of ratchet 54 and shaft 52. Shaft 52 and pivot 59 are mountedon spring anchor 64, the rearward end of which is pivoted by means ofpivot 60 to side plate 33.

Anchor 64 is attached at its forward end of flat spring 63, which isconnected at its forward end to holder 69 for follower 62 which engagespressure cam 61 on shaft 51. As shaft 51 revolves, follower 62 isincreasingly depressed, thus pulling rack 43 downward and causingpressure bar 38 to be forced against first strip 24 until apredetermined pressure is reached, whereupon spring 63 flexes anddespite continued turning of cam 61 no greater pressure is applied.

After the pages have been clamped between the strips 24, 26, continuedturning of shaft 51 causes cutting of the excess lengths of the studs 23projecting below the bottom of strip 26. Mounted behind depression 36 isa horizontal knife plate 71 having projecting forwardly thereof aplurality of blades 72 corresponding in spacing and number to the studs23. Plate 71 is held in a heat insulated holder 73 containing anelectric heater 74 and thermostat (not shown) which heats the blades 72to a temperature such that they will cut through the stud material. Toprevent build-up of plastic material on the blades 72, they arepreferably coated with Teflon. Further, material clinging to theundersides of blades 72 is wiped off by stripper 85. Holder 73 ismounted on a bracket 76 which projects downwardly and forwardly and hasan arm 77 which pivots about horizontal transverse eccentric shaft 81.Eccentric shaft 81 at either end is formed with eccentric ends 82 whichare received in brackets 83 on side plates 33. Cutter arms 86 extendforwardly from their pivot position on shaft 81 and have cam followers88 which engage cutter cams 87 on shaft 51. The function of cam 87 is tocause the knife plate 71 to move from the retracted or dot-and-dash lineposition shown in FIG. 3 to the solid line position. Directing attentionto FIGS. 5 and 6, the movement of blades 72 is from a retracted position(shown for convenience in FIG. 6) to a projected position shown indot-and-dash lines in FIG. 5. Since the blades 72 are sharp and hot,they cut through the thermoplastic ends of studs 23, causing them todrop into chute 89.

Lift arm 91 is fixed to shaft 81 and its forward end carries a camfollower 93 which engages lift cam 92 on shaft 51. Cam 92 causeseccentric pivoting movement of eccentric shaft 81 and this results inthe holder 73 being vertically elevated. Again directing attention toFIG. 5, the stud cutting operation of blade 72 is shown in dot-and-dashlines. The function of cam 92 is to cause the blade 72 to be raised tosolid line position shown in FIG. 5. This causes the stub ends of studs23 to be deformed upwardly and into the counterbores 28 in strip 26.

Mounted between end plates 33 extending transversely horizontally is abridge support 96 which is located below platen 34 and forwardly ofstrip 26. Slidable in bridge 96 at approximately a 45 angle is aplurality of cooling fingers 97 which are spaced apart the same distanceas the studs 23. These fingers function to finish the heads 29 formed onthe ends of studs within counterbore 28 and also to cool the same sothat after the plastic is cooled the strips 26, 24 remain locked tightlytogether. The movement of fingers 97 is from the retracted positionsshown in FIGS. 5 and 6 to the projected position shown in FIG. 7.Fingers 97 are received in aligned apertures in channel 98 which extendstransversely across the machine. Each finger 97 has a pin 99 whichslides in a slot 100 in the base of channel 98. Further, there is aspring 101 interposed between the pin 99 and one of the flanges ofchannel 98 which biases fingers 97 outwardly. However, if the end of afinger 97 encounters an obstacle to its outward movement, the spring 101for that finger flexes and thus prevents injury to the mechanism.Channel 98 is mounted on self aligning brackets 102 which carry camfollower 103 engaging cooling cam 104 on shaft 51. The self aligningbrackets 102 are attached to channel 98 and have bifurcations 106 whichstraddle shaft 51 to maintain proper alignment of the channel 98 andfingers 97.

The cycle of operation of the machine has been almost completelyexplained above in connection with the structure. Reference is made tothe location of the sheets 21 and strips 24, 26 in position. Theoperator slides the pressure foot 38 forwardly relative to offset slot41 and allows it to drop vertically-downwardly until it contacts the topof the uppermost first strip 24. Thereupon, a switch (not shown) isclosed energizing motor 46 through one cycle of revolution of cam shaft51. The first function of shaft 51 is to cause pawl 56 to engage ratchet54 and thus to pull the pressure bar 38 downwardly, compressing strip 24towards strip 26. When a predetermined pressure is reached, spring 63flexes and no additional pressure is applied. It will be understood thatthis function is necessary because the thickness of the book being boundis variable. Cam 67 maintains pressure on pressure bar 38 until thecompletion of the cycle of operation whereupon the locking cam releasespawl 56 and the shaft 52 is allowed to turn freely. While the pressureis applied by bar 38, the first step in the formation of the heads onthe studs is performed by cam 87 which causes the blades 72 to pivotforwardly and to cut off the excess lengths of the studs 23. Lift cam 92then causes the blades 72 to be raised, pushing the stub ends of thestuds 23 into the counterbores 28. Knife blade 72 then retracts. As theknife blade retracts, cam 104 causes the fingers 97 to be projectedupwardly and the upper ends of the fingers engage the stub ends of thestuds and form the heads 29, filling the counterbores 28. They also coolthe material so that the plastic sets. The fingers 97 are then retractedand the pressure on bar 38 is released. The operator then raises bar 38to its upper position in offset 41 and the book is removed.

Stop 37, as best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, may be of two parts, lower part37a which is movable and upper part 37b, which is fixed. The machinewill accommodate strips 24, 26 of different width, wider strips beingsuitable for computer print-out paper. Upper stop 37b is fixed to sideplates 33 by brackets 111. Lower portion 37a has rearward extendingflanges 112 having rear terminal outward bent ears 113 fitting throughenlarged slots 114 in plates 33 and biased forward by springs 116 fixedto ears 113 and plates 33. Pins 117 in plates 33 fit throughhorizontally elongated slots 1 18 in flanges 112 to guide horizontalmovement of lower part 37a. Thus, normally lower part 37a is biasedforwardly by springs 116. When a wider strip 26 is used, insertionthereof between the rearward edge of sub-platen 35 (FIG. 3) and stop 37aforces the latter rearward against the force of springs 116. To insurethat the strip 26 is inserted in the proper direction, off-center pin119 projecting up from platen 34 fits into a corresponding cating hole(not shown) in strip 26. Unless the strip is in proper direction, thepin will not fit in the hole.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for binding apertured sheets together using a first strip,a plurality of thermoplastic studs projecting from and spacedlongitudinally along said first strip and a second strip formed withholes spaced longitudinally of said second strip at intervalscomplementary to said studs, said apparatus comprising a frame having apair of spaced sides and a platen formed to receive said second stripand to support said sheets with their apertures aligned with said holeswith said first strip above said sheets with said studs extendingthrough said apertures and said holes and protruding below said secondstrip, a pressure bar, cooperating means on said sides and bar forguiding movement of said bar from a first position above said platen toa first position adjacent said platen and resting on top of said firststrip, actuating means for engaging said bar against said first strip,said actuating means including a spring, said spring flexing when thepressure of said bar on said first strip exceeds a predetermined amountand when flexed causing said actuating means to discontinue furthermovement of said bar toward said platen and holding said bar in theposition it occupied when said spring flexed.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said actuating meanscomprises a lever pivoted to said frame, a cam follower, said springinterposed between said lever and said follower, a cam engaged by saidfollower, and means for rotating said cam.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said actuating means furthercomprises a rack movable with said bar, a pinion engaging said rack,said pinion rotatably mounted in said lever, a ratchet fixed forrotation with said pinion, and a pawl movable with said cam follower andengaging said ratchet to cause said bar and follower to move togetheruntil said spring flexes.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 which further comprises a second cammovable with said firstmentioned cam, a second cam follower engagingsaid second cam and means controlled by said second cam follower todisengage said pawl from said ratchet to permit retraction of said barto first position.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2 which further comprises a cam shaft onwhich said cam is mounted rotatable in said frame, means for turningsaid cam shaft through one cycle of rotation, a cutter cam on saidshaft, a cutter cam follower engaging said cutter cam, a knife platehaving a plurality of blades projecting therefrom, heating means forsaid blades, and blade actuating means under control of said cutter camfor moving said blades from a retracted position to a cutting positionwhereby said blades cut off the excess lengths of said studs protrudingbeyond said second strip and then to retract said blades to retractedposition.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which said blade actuating meanscomprises a pivot shaft on which said cutter cam follower is pivotallymounted, an eccentric mounting said pivot shaft in said frame, a knifebar raising cam on said cam shaft, a knife bar raising cam followerconnected to said eccentric and engaging said knife bar raising cam toraise said knife bar and said blades toward said second strip after saidblades have moved into cutting position and then to lower said blades.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 which further comprises a cooling camon said cam shaft, a plurality of cooling fingers, a holder, saidfingers movable with said holder, and a cooling cam follower on saidholder engaging said cooling cam operable to move said fingers againstthe severed ends of said studs to form heads on said ends.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 which further comprises resilientmeans biasing said fingers to protrude from said holder and flexible topermit relative movement of said fingers and holder when a fingerencounters an obstacle to movement.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 which further comprises a cam shaftrotatable in said frame, a motor operable to turn said cam shaft onerevolution, said actuating means including a lever pivoted to saidframe, a pressure cam follower, said spring interposed between saidlever and said pressure cam follower, a pressure cam engaged by saidpressure cam follower fixed on said shaft, a second cam fixed on saidcam shaft, a second cam follower engaging said second cam, meanscontrolled by said second cam follower to disengage said pawl from saidratchet to permit retraction of said bar to first position at the end ofthe cycle of revolution of said cam shaft, a cutter cam on said camshaft, a cutter cam follower engaging said cutter cam, a knife platehaving a plurality of blades projecting therefrom, heating means forsaid blades, and blade actuating means under control of said cutter camoperable after said pressure cam has actuated said actuating means formoving said blades from a retracted position to a cutting positionwhereby said blades cut off the excess lengths of said studs protrudingbeyond said second strip and then to retract said blades to retractedposition, said blade actuating means including a pivot shaft on whichsaid cutter cam follower is pivotally mounted, an eccentric mountingsaid pivot shaft in said frame, a knife bar raising cam on said camshaft, a knife bar raising cam follower connected to said eccentric andengaging said knife bar raising cam to raise said knife bar and saidblades toward said second strip after said blades have moved intocutting position and then to lower said blades, a cooling cam on saidcam shaft, a plurality of cooling fingers, a holder, said fingersmovable with said holder, and a cooling cam follower on said holderengaging said cooling cam operable to move said fingers against thesevered ends of said studs to form heads on said ends after said bladeshave been lowered by said knife bar raising cam and retracted by saidcutter cam.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 which further comprises asubstantially vertical stop between said sides and above said platen andhorizontally reciprocable relative to said sides, guide means on saidsides and stop restricting said stop to horizontal-longitudinal movementand resilient means biasing said stop forwardly.

1. Apparatus for binding apertured sheets together using a first strip,a plurality of thermoplastic studs projecting from and spacedlongitudinally along said first strip and a second strip formed withholes spaced longitudinally of said second strip at intervalscomplementary to said studs, said apparatus comprising a frame having apair of spaced sides and a platen formed to receive said second stripand to support said sheets with their apertures aligned with said holeswith said first strip above said sheets with said studs extendingthrough said apertures and said holes and protruding below said secondstrip, a pressure bar, cooperating means on said sides and bar forguiding movement of said bar from a first position above said platen toa first position adjacent said platen and resting on top of said firststrip, actuating means for engaging said bar against said first strip,said actuating means including a spring, said spring flexing when thepressure of said bar on said first strip exceeds a predetermined amountand when flexed causing said actuating means to discontinue furthermovement of said bar toward said platen and holding said bar in theposition it occupied when said spring flexed.
 2. Apparatus according toclaim 1 in which said actuating means comprises a lever pivoted to saidframe, a cam follower, said spring interposed between said lever andsaid follower, a cam engaged by said follower, and means for rotatingsaid cam.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said actuatingmeans further comprises a rack movable with said bar, a pinion engagingsaid rack, said pinion rotatably mounted in said lever, a ratchet fixedfor rotation with said pinion, and a pawl movable with said cam followerand engaging said ratchet to cause said bar and follower to movetogether until said spring flexes.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3which further comprises a second cam movable with said first-mentionedcam, a second cam follower engaging said second cam and means controlledby said second cam follower to disengage said pawl from said ratchet topermit retraction of said bar to first position.
 5. Apparatus accordingto claim 2 which further comprises a cam shaft on which said cam ismounted rotatable in said frame, means for turning said cam shaftthrough one cycle of rotation, a cutter cam on said shaft, a cutter camfollower engaging said cutter cam, a knife plate having a plurality ofblades projecting therefrom, heating means for said blades, and bladeactuating means under control of said cutter cam for moving said bladesfrom a retracted position to a cutting position whereby said blades cutoff the excess lengths of said studs protruding beyond said second stripand then to retract said blades to retracted position.
 6. Apparatusaccording to claim 5 in which said blade actuating means comprises apivot shaft on which said cutter cam follower is pivotally mounted, aneccentric mounting said pivot shaft in said frame, a knife bar raisingcam on said cam shaft, a knife bar raising cam follower connected tosaid eccentric and engaging said knife bar raising cam to raise saidknife bar and said blades toward said second strip after said bladeshave moved into cutting position and then to lower said blades. 7.Apparatus according to claim 5 which further comprises a cooling cam onsaid cam shaft, a plurality of cooling fingers, a holder, said fingersmovable with said holder, and a cooling cam follower on said holderengaging said cooling cam operable to move said fingers against thesevered ends of said studs to form heads on said ends.
 8. Apparatusaccording to claim 7 which further comprises resilient means biasingsaid fingers to protrude from said holder and flexible to permitrelative movement of said fingers and holder when a finger encounters anobstacle to movement.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 1 which furthercomprises a cam shaft rotatable in said frame, a motor operable to turnsaid cam shaft one revolution, said actuating means including a leverpivoted to said frame, a pressure cam follower, said spring interposedbetween said lever and said pressure cam follower, a pressure camengaged by said pressure cam follower fixed on said shaft, a second camfixed on said cam shaft, a second cam follower engaging said second cam,means controlled by said second cam follower to disengage said pawl fromsaid ratchet to permit retraction of said bar to first position at theend of the cycle of revolution of said cam shaft, a cutter cam on saidcam shaft, a cutter cam follower engaging said cutter cam, a knife platehaving a plurality of blades projecting therefrom, heating means forsaid blades, and blade actuating means under control of said cutter camoperable after said pressure cam has actuated said actuating means formoving said blades from a retracted position to a cutting positionwhereby said blades cut off the excess lengths of said studs protrudingbeyond said second strip and then to retract said blades to retractedposition, said blade actuating means including a pivot shaft on whichsaid cuttEr cam follower is pivotally mounted, an eccentric mountingsaid pivot shaft in said frame, a knife bar raising cam on said camshaft, a knife bar raising cam follower connected to said eccentric andengaging said knife bar raising cam to raise said knife bar and saidblades toward said second strip after said blades have moved intocutting position and then to lower said blades, a cooling cam on saidcam shaft, a plurality of cooling fingers, a holder, said fingersmovable with said holder, and a cooling cam follower on said holderengaging said cooling cam operable to move said fingers against thesevered ends of said studs to form heads on said ends after said bladeshave been lowered by said knife bar raising cam and retracted by saidcutter cam.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 1 which further comprises asubstantially vertical stop between said sides and above said platen andhorizontally reciprocable relative to said sides, guide means on saidsides and stop restricting said stop to horizontal-longitudinal movementand resilient means biasing said stop forwardly.